Abbott's wife joins election campaign

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has unveiled a new star recruit in his bid to woo
female voters - his wife Margie.
Mrs Abbott, who works in child care, dropped her usually low profile to speak
directly to the media at a Brisbane child care centre on Monday, with the coalition
announcing $89 million in policies to make care more affordable.
"He is the politician in the family ... (but) this is an area that I feel very
passionate about," she told the large press pack at the centre in Kippa-Ring in the
marginal Labor-held seat of Petrie.
Mrs Abbott said the lack of focus on education in child care for under-fives was an
"embarrassment".
It's the first time Mrs Abbott has spoken on a political issue to the media during
this campaign.
Mr Abbott was asked by a reporter if he was playing the family card to differentiate
himself from Ms Gillard, who is unmarried and has no children.
"I think families are important, I take them seriously," he responded.
Mr Abbott was keen to show his softer side as he toured the centre, sitting down at
a tiny table to have a mock tea party.
It was there that Mr Abbott's campaigning ran into trouble from a strong-willed
female who didn't follow his script - and it wasn't Julia Gillard.
Four-year-old Chelsea Mobb was not about to succumb to the sweet talk of a would-be
prime minister.
Mr Abbott suggested Chelsea might like some lunch, to which she loudly declared: "no".
"You sound like a strong-willed young lady," he responded, and later tried to win
her around by asking if she enjoyed coming to child care.
"No, I'm not coming here any more," she announced defiantly.
Mrs Abbott lightened the mood by chatting with Chelsea about the paint on her hands.
She had already delighted some kids by reading a book about rainbows.
It was a big day at the child care centre, with one of the staff members saying the
children would discuss Mr Abbott's visit in show and tell.
Mr Abbott was accompanied by Liberal veteran Nick Minchin, who has started work as
his adviser for the rest of the election campaign.